Written by Simon Pegg and directed by Justin Lin, this film shows what a true hack JJ Abrams is.

The score was weaker than the first two films but character development, plotting and pacing, space exploration and heart were much better. Jaylah is a strong female character done right and very likeable. A fourth film is already in development.

I liked it. I thought the visuals were outstanding and I love this cast of characters but it didn't stay with me after I left the theatre. I found it to be well-executed summer entertainment.

I'm not a die-hard Trek fan, so I don't carry any baggage into this rebooted universe. I loved JJ's first Trek and really liked Into Darkness (Kahn backlash doesn't affect me although I think they mishandled the marketing around the John Harrison character). I think both of the JJ movies are superior to Beyond, though I understand why Trekkies would feel otherwise.

Unfortunately, I don't think popular opinion is with them and it looks like Beyond will struggle to make back its money. Trek just doesn't have broad appeal. It never did and never will. From a business standpoint, the smartest thing they ever did was make Trek more like Star Wars but now that Star Wars is back I don't think there's much room for it as a franchise. The further away it moves from slam-bang summer blockbuster the less money it's going to make. This movie was also under-marketed.

I did love the tribute to Nimoy, and the nod to Anton was touching. He was a very likeable actor and I'll miss seeing him in these (and other) movies. My favourite visual of the film is the shot of the Enterprise at warp. Beautiful.

Regarding the whole JJ is a hack stuff, I think it's a very overblown and emotional point of view. Yes, there's a lot of hype surrounding everything JJ does, and he does put himself in the crosshairs by making Spielberg and Lucas-like movies, but the world is also desperate for filmmakers to be the second-coming of those guys. It's a completely unrealistic expectation that it impossible to live up to but it doesn't mean JJ hasn't made several fun and entertaining movies.

He has successfully rebooted two franchises to critical and audience acclaim. Are there flaws in his work? Absolutely, but I truly believe that nothing will ever recapture the magic from the 70s and 80s. "sheep" have to stop measuring him against our childhood directors and take his work for what it is.

If you want a list of hacks you can start with Colin Trevorrow, Zack Snyder and Guillermo del Toro.